Habitat Fragmentation

Compare the forested areas below. The first is an intact forest within the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve. The second is altered forest for subsistence agriculture. The third is an area outside the reserve where cows and goats feed within lemur habitats.

Effect

Deforestation affects lemur feeding ecology. Some groups of lemurs now feed on sub-optimal foods or exploit human resources through crop-raiding. We are also looking at how habitat fragmentation may affect lemur ecology and health. For example, lemurs come into contact with local domestic animals as habitats degrade.
On-going research will compare lemur health and ecology within both the camp and reserve habitats.